Hello All, today we are going to look at Fibromyalgia. What Are the Signs of Fibromyalgia? and is Fibromyalgia Ruining Your Life?
Do you suffer from pain all over your body for no apparent reason? Has it been going on for Months? Even years…
Can your doctor not put their finger on what the cause is?
Well, If any of this sounds familiar to you, you could be suffering from Fibromyalgia.
What Are the Signs of Fibromyalgia /
Is Fibromyalgia Ruining Your Life?
What is Fibromyalgia
This condition is a disorder as opposed to a disease. It is one that affects your muscles as well as your bones. You can also have chronic fatigue, problems with sleep, and your memory. It can also deeply affect your moods.
Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
The Symptoms
- widespread pain
- jaw pain and stiffness
- fatigue
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- restless leg syndrome (RLS)
- difficulties with memory and concentration, known as “fibro-fog”
- sensitivity to cold or heat
- pain and tiredness in the face muscles and adjacent fibrous tissues
- stiff joints and muscles in the morning
- headaches
- irregular sleep patterns
- painful menstrual periods
- tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
Other Possible Symptoms:
- problems with vision
- nausea
- dizziness
- chest symptoms
- weight gain
- breathing problems
- cold or flu-like symptoms
- skin problems
- depression and anxiety
- pelvic and urinary problems
The majority of people are diagnosed after 45 years of age. Although, unfortunately, this is a condition that can happen to affect you at any age.
What Are the Signs of Fibromyalgia?
What Can Cause It
Women are much more likely to get fibromyalgia than men. People who suffer from lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or spinal arthritis, known as ankylosing spondylitis, have a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia. As do other patients with rheumatic diseases.
Those most at risk:
- rheumatoid arthritis sufferers or other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus
- central nervous system problems
- the way our genes regulate how we process painful stimuli
- repetitive injury
- a stressful, traumatic physical or emotional event, such as a car accident
- The medical profession also believes it could be hereditary. As, far as I’m aware I’m the only person who has been diagnosed in my family.
It can take a long time to get a diagnosis of fibromyalgia because the symptoms resemble those of other conditions, such as hypothyroidism. I also had an over active thyroid that had already been diagnosed. As a sufferer of Arthritis as well the diagnosis took quite a few trips to the doctor before confirmation was achieved.
How is This Condition Treated
Medical attention is necessary because fibromyalgia can be difficult to diagnose and to manage. Plus as it is a syndrome, every patient may experience a different amount of symptoms, and an individual treatment plan will be necessary.
Not all of these treatments may be necessary:
- an active exercise program, you can find some exercises here.
- physical therapy behavior modification therapy
- low-dosage anti-depressants, although these are not always a first-line of treatment
- massage
- acupuncture
- psychotherapy
- chiropractic care
In my case I suffer from pain in my legs and it can be difficult to walk any great distance as a result. I take a low dose of antidepressants, called Cymbalta and exercise, which helps a great deal to keep most of he pain away. I have also used a great supplement which does a fantastic job.
Behavior modification therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that aims to reduce negative, stress- or pain-increasing behaviors and improve positive, mindful behaviors. It includes learning new coping skills and relaxation exercises.
Acupuncture is being used more and more and the vast majority have said it works very well for them.
Having a relaxing massage also helps to reduce the symptoms of pain.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms as to weather you need to take prescription medications or if you can take over the counter drugs, your doctor will discuss this with you.
Is it Curable
There is no cure at the present time for fibromyalgia, but more treatment options and clearer diagnosis are now available.
Symptoms can improve majorly as long as the patient follows the doctors advice and keeps up the treatment.
My Final Thoughts
Fibromyalgia can be an extremely painful condition, it can affect the whole body. Eating a gluten free diet has helped many sufferers as well as a diet that contains a variety of nuts such as Almonds. Eating high energy low sugar foods such as fiber, beans and avocados are also good for this condition.
Exercising when you feel in pain can be quite a challenge, but it’s one you should undertake to do as you will benefit a great deal in the long run. I’ve found swimming to be a great all over pleasant experience, it’s relaxing as well as exercise.
YOUR FEEDBACK
I wish to thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy day to read this article, if you have a question or would like to leave a comment you can do so below. I love hearing from you and I will always reply back to you.
Do you know anyone else who would benefit from reading this then please feel free to share it.
Take great care of yourself because you are worth it.
Alex
This post is in no way a recommended course of action. It’s not intended to diagnose or treat you. This is for information purposes only. If, you think you have this condition then seek medical advice.
About Author
This is good post for health issues and to know this kind of illness can be curable. It can stop our productivity in daily basis if we will not resolve and consult to the doctor. Getting to know the symptoms makes us to be vigilant on our health. Taking care our health is a wealth.
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate you taking the time.
Lately, I have been hearing more about fibromyalgia, but I still don’t know much about it. The symptoms are plenty, and it must be hard to deal with so much pain, and how it impacts your life. Do light antidepressants help with pain? I did not know that. Although there is unfortunately no cure, I am glad to see that gluten free diets, high energy and low sugar foods, and massages, can help somehow. They may not provide a permanent solution, but it’s good that they can help in a way.
I can understand how akupuncture can help. I once used akupuncture for a problem I had and that could not be solved for years, akupuncture solved it. It is very powerful and effective. I hope that one day there will be more treatment available.
Hi Christine,
Thank you very much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Yes it’s true about the light antidepressants. They do work. My husband is a coeliac so he can’t eat gluten. My diet is predominantly gluten free for that reason and it makes a big difference to my well being.
Thank you so much for sharing with us a beautiful and informative article. The main content of this article is about Fibromyalgia. It is truly remarkable that you have presented this topic so well in your article. I have learned a lot by reading your article and gained a lot of knowledge about it. Of the points mentioned in your article, I like How this condition is treated. In my opinion, since it cannot be prevented, some long term physical exercises including psychotherapy should be done all the time through which there is at least tolerable stage pain.
Finally, I have read your article and enjoyed it. I would like to share the subject of the article in the Facebook group about the Fibromyalgia so that other people can know about it and understand the ways to keep yourself healthy from Fibromyalgia.
Thank you very much for reading and commenting.
You can share away to help others.
Hello there, this is indeed an article that helps you have a better health and its been really good with how you’ve given so much information about fibromyalgia. This is the first time I am leaning about it and I feel sad because I am really close to the age and some of my friends may have suffered from it and wouldn’t know what the cause is. I am happy to be here indeed. Cheers
Hey Justin,
I appreciate your comments. Thank you very much for your time.
Lisa
I have never heard of fibromyalgia before but it is a good thing that I am able to learn something new today. I used to have a friend back in the day that had this kind of issue of pain around the body for a long period of time. It might not be this disorder but it must be something close to it. Unfortunately there is no cure but I hope there is a way to deal with this sometimes soon.
Hi Jay,
Fibromyalgia is a condition that many people have not heard of. It’s very painful and can be quite debilitating. I appreciate you reading and leaving a comment.
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I have fibromyalgia, and this was some great information about the condition. It feels like I have had it my whole life. It started when I was only about 30. It’s been a very disturbing disorder for me Lisa, and only those who have it know what one has to go through.
Thanks for writing about it.
Aparna
Hello Aparna,
You are very welcome. It’s true what you say, people who don’t suffer from it don’t know how painful and debilitating it can be. Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts.
Lisa